China's abundant indigenous yellow cattle resources are of great significance for studying environmental adaptability evolution, genetic resource conservation, and breeding improvement. The majority of the cattle population consists of indigenous breeds. Understanding the genetic architecture of these cattle breeds is essential for effective management and conservation efforts. In this study, we collected DNA samples from five local cattle breeds (n = 56) and obtained whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for 10 Jinchuan (JC) yak samples from the NCBI database as the outgroup. Whole-genome resequencing generated approximately 2.3 TB of paired-end data, achieving an average depth of 13X and a depth range of 9.75X to 39.03X across the 66 samples. The sequencing data were pre-processed and mapped to the cattle reference genome (ARS-UCD1.2) with an alignment rate of 99.5%. Finally, the variant calling process produced approximately 31 million high-quality SNPs. These data enhance our understanding of cattle genetic architecture, enabling the discovery of functional variants and evolutionary insights to inform breeding strategies for climate-resilient and sustainable cattle production.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is widespread globally and causes economic losses in the cattle industry. Shandong Province plays a significant role in China's livestock industry, with an increasing importance in food of Holstein and Angus cattle. However, BLV prevalence in Holstein and Angus breeds in Shandong Province remains unclear. In particular, there are no reports of BLV prevalence of Angus cattle in field surveys worldwide. In this study, 613 samples from six large-scale farms (> 1000 heads per farm) in Binzhou and Weifang cities were screened for BLV antibodies (gp51) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The samples included 303 Angus (beef) and 310 Holstein (dairy) cattle. All Angus breeding samples from the three farms were BLV-negative at both the animal- and herd-level prevalences. In contrast, 62 of 310 Holstein cattle (20.0%) from three dairy farms were positive for BLV antibodies. For example, 35/110 (31.8%), 19/100 (19.0%), and 8/100 (8.0%) samples from the D, E, and F farms, respectively, were BLV-positive. Notably, the animal- and herd-level prevalences for Holstein cattle exhibited 20% and 100% positivity, respectively. These findings offer significant insights into the BLV status of Holstein and Angus cattle in Shandong Province, China.

ABSTRACTThis study investigates fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and directional asymmetry (DA) in the skulls of four cattle breeds: Eastern Anatolian Red, Southern Anatolian Red, Holstein and Simmental by using geometric morphometrics methods. A total of 89 skulls were analysed (Eastern Anatolian Red, n = 16; Southern Anatolian Red, n = 21; Simmental, n = 24; Holstein, n = 28) using 3D landmark based methods, including Procrustes superimposition, principal component analysis (PCA) and Procrustes ANOVA. PCA showed that the first two axes explained 32.39% of DA variation and 26.2% of FA variation, reflecting the multidimensional nature of cranial asymmetry. The results show that DA accounts for a greater proportion of total shape variation than FA, indicating a consistent asymmetry pattern across breeds. PCA revealed overlapping FA among breeds, with Holstein and Eastern Anatolian Red exhibiting greater variation, indicating higher developmental instability. FA, a marker of developmental instability, was most prominent along the horizontal (x‐axis) and vertical (y‐axis) planes, particularly in the nasal and orbital regions, suggesting mechanical loading as a possible influence. Procrustes ANOVA confirmed significant breed effects for skull shape (p < 0.0001), but asymmetry was not breed dependent. The analysis revealed that DA is primarily influenced by biomechanical factors, such as head posture, muscle attachments and habitual head movements, particularly in the occipital region. In contrast to masticatory structures, nasal asymmetry was linked to respiratory efficiency and environmental adaptation. These findings provide new insights into the role of genetic and environmental influences on cattle skull development and demonstrate the value of geometric morphometrics methods in capturing subtle morphological variation beyond traditional linear measurements.

Seasonal and storage effects on characteristics and anaerobic digestibility of cattle manure.

How can production levels influence decision making on organic dairy farms in Brazil?

Digital PCR (dPCR) is the third generation of PCR for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids in the reaction without a standard curve by partitioning reactions. In recent years, various dPCR platforms have been developed and used in a variety of research and diagnostic applications. dPCR technology has significant potential as a tool for detecting species identification markers in large samples through accurate quantification of absolute copy numbers. In this chapter, we describe the dPCR detection method for discovering molecular markers used for Hanwoo cattle breed identification using three types of digital PCR platforms (Bio-Rad, Stilla technologies, and OPTOLANE).

Genomic selection has improved genetic evaluations in many breeds and species, but its application in local breeds remains underexplored. However, preserving the competitiveness for local breeds is essential, as they have co-evolved with their surrounding environments and play a fundamental role not only in supporting rural economies but also in preserving the environment and local cultural heritage. This study evaluated the impact of transitioning from single breed pedigree-based to single breed genomic evaluations for milk production in three Alpine dual-purpose cattle breeds: Alpine Grey (APG), Aosta Red Pied (ARP) and Rendena (RND). APG and ARP had over one million test-day records each, while RND contributed approximately 300,000 records. The analysis included over 7000 genotyped animals in ARP and more than 3500 in both APG and RND. When using the genomic model, time-stratified cross-validation demonstrated improved prediction accuracy, along with modest improvements in bias and dispersion. Additionally, genomic models provided higher individual prediction accuracy, particularly in young animals. These results may be especially beneficial for dual-purpose selection schemes in these breeds, where young (unproven) bulls enter performance testing. Overall, the findings support the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing genomic evaluations in these autochthonous breeds. Highlights Genomic evaluations can be successfully implemented in local Alpine cattle breeds. Single-step genomic models improved prediction accuracy, particularly in young animals (selection candidates). Accuracy gains were observed even in non-genotyped individuals.

Ticks and associated ectoparasites caused major constraints to cattle productivity and health in tropical regions. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of tick species, dermatophilosis, and Cochliomyia larvae infestations among cattle in Mayo-Selbe and Gumti communities of Gashaka Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Ticks were collected through physical inspection and manual removal using forceps. All collected ticks were preserved in labeled vials containing 70% ethanol for identification using standard morphological keys. A total of 596 cattle belonging to Sokoto Gudali (34.4%), Red Bororo (35.1%), and White Fulani (30.5%) breeds were examined through physical inspection. The prevalence of dermatophilosis was 16.8% (100/596), while Cochliomyialarvae infestation was 18.8% (112/596), consisting of mild (64.6%), moderate (27.3%), and severe (8.1%) intensities. Eight tick species were identified, with Amblyomma integrum (63.8%) and Robertiscus elephensis (85.4%) being the most abundant. Significant associations were found between tick infestation and cattle breed, sex, and location (p &lt; 0.001). Dermacentor andersoni and Amblyomma variegatum occurred more frequently in Gumti. These findings demonstrate a high ectoparasite burden among cattle in the study area and emphasizing the need for targeted tick control, improved pasture management, and routine surveillance to mitigate economic losses.

India's livestock sector faces significant challenges in accurate breed identification, with traditional manual methods achieving only 65-70% accuracy while consuming 40-60% of Field Level Workers' (FLWs) time. This paper presents BreedVision, an AI-powered web system for automated cattle and buffalo breed recognition using YOLOv12 object detection trained on 3,683 annotated images covering 15 major Indian breeds. The model achieves 69.8% mean Average Precision at IoU 0.5, with breed-specific accuracies reaching 87% for Bargur, 85% for Dangi, and 83% for Ongole and Alambadi. The system integrates ReactJS frontend with WebRTC camera capture, Python Flask backend with OpenCV preprocessing, and Roboflow cloud inference, providing real-time classification with confidence scoring and Excel export for government BPA system integration. Field testing demonstrates 40-60% reduction in FLW workload while improving data accuracy to 70% overall.

Dozens of missed recessive loci affecting homozygous carriers’ life expectancy were recently reported. This article details the clinical, biological and pathological manifestations of a new bovine genetic disorder caused by the ITGB7 p.G375S point mutation in the French Holstein cattle breed (BLIRD: OMIA:002872–9913). Our thorough study involved database analysis of genotyped cattle and a series of case-control investigations of forty individuals homozygous for the causative variant. These variant homozygotes had a significantly shorter lifespan (fewer than 64% surviving past three years vs. 87% in control), along with reduced body weight, daily weight gain, and dairy performance. The mutation did not affect most biochemical parameters, but a marked lymphocytic leucocytosis, moderate eosinophilia and differences in faecal microbiota were observed. Although non-pathognomonic symptoms may be confused with those of common environmental diseases, the blood profile effectively identified suspected carriers who developed ill-thrift and poor growth as heifers. Our research demonstrates that the bovine ITGB7 p.G375S substitution leads to reduced longevity, poor condition and production in most homozygous carriers. Furthermore, this spontaneous model may help to refine the functions of the integrin β7 (ITGB7) in immune homeostasis and defence.

Numerous studies have investigated the environmental impacts of dairy cattle farming systems using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. However, considering additional related factors can provide a broader perspective and more comprehensive contextualisation of the results. Net food production is a crucial aspect that adds valuable insights to the discussion on sustainable farming practices. Moreover, few studies have focused on mountain dairy farming systems, which differ significantly in structure and management from large-scale dairy operations in the lowlands. This study aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between conventionally and organically managed mountain dairy farms, specifically focusing on dual-purpose Simmental cattle. Six impact categories, Global Warming Potential (GWP100), Marine Eutrophication Potential (ME), Terrestrial Acidification Potential (TA), Land Use (LU), and Water Use (WU), were quantified via the LCA approach and attributed to one kilogram of Energy Corrected Milk (ECM) and one m2 of on-farm agricultural area. To determine the individual farm’s efficiency to provide human edible food, two additional indicators were calculated: milk yield deriving from roughage and net protein provision, based on the amount of human edible protein in the animal diet vs. the amount of human edible protein inside the milk. Further, carbon sequestration by permanent grassland was calculated for each farm. Results showed lower impacts of the organically managed farms (ORG group) for the categories ME (0.0009 vs. 0.0017 kg N eq) and WU (0.02 vs. 0.08 m³ kg ECM−1), while no significant differences could be found for GWP100 and TA, and the conventional farms (CON group) were more efficient in LU (0.97 vs. 1.54 m2a crop eq). In the case of net food production, the CON group showed an overall higher efficiency (0.023 vs. −0.016 NP kg ECM−1), mainly due to maize silage input. No significant difference was found in the C sequestration of permanent grassland between the two groups. This study analysed diverse mountain dairy farms using a single cattle breed, focusing on management, environmental impact, food efficiency, and carbon sequestration. Enhancing sustainability in these systems requires considering not only emissions but also their role in converting non-edible feed into food, maintaining low local environmental impact, preserving grasslands, and supporting ecosystem services.

The use of Holstein sires in dairy cattle breeding demonstrates variability in conformation characteristics due to breed characteristics, as well as feeding and housing conditions. Constitution and conformation are key indicators of the breeding and productive qualities of farm animals. A research and production experiment conducted at Sheminovka LLC in the Kostanay District of the Kostanay Region compared the conformation of first-calving cows based on their paternal lineage. Two groups of experimental animals were formed: Group I, consisting of the daughters of an American-bred Holstein bull, and Group II, consisting of the daughters of a domestically bred Holstein bull. The data obtained revealed that the animals in Group I had a distinct dairy type. They had a reliable superiority in height measurements by 2.1-2.4 cm (P≤0.05-0.01), in oblique body length by 2.1 cm and chest circumference by 2.8 cm (P≤0.05).

The study notes the significance of the dairy subcomplex as a key element of the agroindustrial complex, on the efficiency of which the food security of the country and the region depends. The purpose is to analyze the current state of the dairy industry in Akmola Region, identify factors influencing its development, and determine the main trends of economic growth. Methods — economic-statistical and balance methods to assess the real situation in the dairy sector; abstract-logical and comparative methods in considering sectoral and regional features of dairy production and existing problems. Results — financial and economic indicators of the dairy segment of the region were examined and diagnosed. The dynamics of production parameters of dairy cattle breeding by categories of dairy farms are shown. The authors identify criteria limiting the capabilities of dairy-oriented economic entities and the measures necessary to ensure the productivity of farm dairy cattle breeding. Conclusions — it is substantiated that the main constraining condition for increasing the productivity of dairy farms remains the dominance of personal subsidiary and peasant farms with low milk yields per cow, while the quality and marketability of raw milk also influence the formation of a raw material deficit. To supply milk processing enterprises with sufficient quantities, the consolidation of personal households into agricultural cooperatives is proposed. This approach will make it possible to optimally utilize their production potential, increase the volume of dairy products produced by the population, ensure their marketing, and stimulate the transition to larger commercial forms of farming. The priority of this subsector of the agro-industrial complex is proven and should be reflected in the strategy of food stability of the region. The introduction of new technologies and digital transformation in livestock activities, strengthening of technical equipment contribute to increasing gross output, the level of self-sufficiency in domestic products, and expanding participation in foreign trade as the main form of international market relations.

Purposes. To study the possibility of using data on the dynamics of agroecosystems in the design of administrative-territorial entities (using the example of the Cherkasy region). The main hypothesis of the study is the possibility of scientifically correct “fitting” the production specialization of individual farms into the corresponding agro-landscapes, and subsequently, on this basis, justifying the administrative-territorial structure. Methods. Cartographic, comparative-geographical, statistical. Results. Analysis of the distribution of enterprises across the territory of the Cherkasy region confirms their compliance (or non-compliance) with the main natural and economic patterns. Thus, in place of the former 5th forest-steppe and 3rd steppe (2014) along the southern border of the region, the 1st steppe (2024) agricultural region has formed with signs of more pronounced zonal specialization (crops and industries adapted to the arid climate). Over 10 years, the number of farms has increased almost six-fold, which is associated, firstly, with the intensification of land reform implementation and, secondly, with the strengthening of the trend of “integrating” agroecosystems into natural landscapes. Despite the dominance of traditional technologies in the main zonal areas of specialization, a significant number of farms (about 30%) have responded to climate change over the past 10 years (2014-2024) by gradually introducing cover crops into crop rotations to retain moisture in the soil. Thus, most of the farms specializing in grain production are “tied” to the flat plains of the central part of the region. The Dnipro regions of the region are developing specialization with a focus on the consumer (Cherkasy) and significant irrigation resources – open-field vegetables, dairy and beef cattle breeding, and poultry farming. Only in the western regions of the Uman “cluster” is the most comprehensive crop and livestock specialization developing, which is explained by the relative autonomy of this territory. Based on the identification of production types and taking into account landscape diversity, an analysis of agricultural regions in relation to specific landscapes was carried out. Conclusions. Compared to 2014, the configuration of agricultural areas has changed significantly, which has been fundamentally influenced by climate change. For the Cherkasy region, the main regional centers remain the cores of agroecosystems located in the middle of the four modern administrative districts (Zolotonosha, Cherkasy, Zvenyhorod, and Uman). A more accurate determination of their location, and, most importantly, the periphery of agroecosystems with subsequent refinement of boundaries, will require additional research, both with the use of special statistics and expedition data.

This article analyses the historical period during which the multiethnic population of Kyrgyzstan came into existence, extending from the latter half of the nineteenth century until the establishment of Soviet power. The selection of this era is predicated on the observation that at the inception of Tsarist Russia’s colonisation of Central Asia, migratory patterns followed three orientations: firstly, from the European part of Russia, secondly, from Southern Siberia, and thirdly, from China. The indigenous nomadic population, predominantly engaged in cattle breeding, encountered a novel sedentary culture and peoples (Russians, Ukrainians, Dungans, and Uyghurs). The emergence of new settlements – villages, hamlets, and cities – in the northern regions of Kyrgyzstan gave impetus to the development of a pro-European civilization. The authors of this study examine the formation of diaspora populations in Northern Kyrgyzstan, drawing upon statistical materials from the historical period in question. They identify shifts in the ethnic and region’s diverse peoples. In addition to the works of Russian scholars, the article refers to materials from Hungarian researchers György Almásy and Gyula Prinz, who conducted numerous scientific expeditions in the early twentieth century. The new territories of Semirechye attracted not only peasants, but also scientists, travellers, geologists, orientalists, and ethnologists. While conducting scientific expeditions, they encountered diverse ethnocultural communities. Consequently, a substantial corpus of materials is available for the study of multiethnic populations. A thorough analysis of the shifts in the ethnic composition, size, and demographics of the population illuminates the transformations that occurred in Kyrgyz society during the period under investigation. The study of Kyrgyz history, taking into account the factor of multi-ethnicity, remains relevant. It is imperative to acknowledge the ethnic diversity of the population when attempting to establish patterns of socio-economic, cultural, and political processes in the country and the region.

Background and Aim: Bovine trichomonosis, caused by Tritrichomonas foetus, is a significant reproductive disease that impacts cattle productivity and breeding efficiency. In South Africa, routine diagnostic methods often depend on culture and microscopy, which may not accurately distinguish T. foetus from nonpathogenic trichomonads. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. foetus in bulls from the Dr. Segomotsi Ruth Mompati (DSRM) District, North-West Province, South Africa, using advanced molecular diagnostics, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), conventional PCR, DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 239 sheath wash samples were collected between June 2018 and October 2020. Of these, 51 culture-positive trichomonad isolates were selected for molecular analysis. Microscopy and modified Giemsa staining were used to characterize protozoal morphology. DNA was extracted and subjected to RT-PCR with 5’ TaqMan™ probes, as well as conventional PCR targeting the 5.8S rRNA/Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions. PCR amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA (maximum-likelihood, 1,000 bootstrap replicates). Statistical comparisons between diagnostic methods were performed using Chi-square and Cochran’s Q test. Results: RT-PCR detected T. foetus in 80.4% (41/51) of the culture-positive samples, with most isolates showing low Ct values, indicating strong positivity. Conventional PCR successfully amplified 12 isolates (300–340 bp), all of which were confirmed as T. foetus by sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates clustered with the Southern African genotype, exhibiting 77%–87% similarity to Namibian strains and were closely related to Australian and Turkish isolates. No significant correlation was found between geographic location and PCR positivity. RT-PCR demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity than conventional PCR (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirms a high prevalence of T. foetus in bulls in the DSRM district and demonstrates the superior accuracy of molecular diagnostics compared with culture and microscopy. The identification of genotypes closely related to Southern African strains highlights potential transboundary spread. Incorporating PCR-based screening into routine surveillance is essential for accurate diagnosis, minimizing unnecessary culling, and enhancing reproductive herd health. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to assess disease dynamics and inform regional control programs. Keywords: Tritrichomonas foetus, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, phylogeny, bovine trichomonosis, South Africa.

The degradation and mismanagement of rangeland ecosystems continue to threaten environmental sustainability and livestock-based livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions. Market-based environmental conservation instruments, such as payment for ecosystem services (PES) and willingness to pay (WTP), serve as effective mechanisms for promoting sustainable land management. This study investigates the WTP of smallholder cattle producers for rangeland restoration in South Africa's North West Province, integrating socioeconomic and ecological dimensions to inform policy and practice. A double-bounded contingent valuation method was applied to data from 101 smallholder cattle producers, revealing that over 70% of them were willing to pay a higher bid of USD 11.50 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, with a mean WTP of USD 17.00 ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Logistic regression analysis revealed that education level (p = 0.012), preferred cattle breed (p = 0.039), farming experience (p = 0.026), goat ownership (p = 0.022), ecoregion (p = 0.079), and cattle-derived income (p = 0.048) were significant predictors of WTP. These findings strongly support rangeland restoration and management within smallholder systems and reflect how socioeconomic and ecological factors shape land-use management choices. This study provides evidence to inform the development of participatory, equity-sensitive conservation frameworks and support the development of incentive-based PES programmes, aligning with sustainable land management policies and resilience-building in pastoral systems.

Reproductive traits are essential in dairy cattle breeding, and improving body conformation is considered beneficial for reproductive performance. This study systematically analyzed the genetic relationships between six key conformation traits—stature (ST), body depth (BD), loin strength (LS), rump angle (RA), rump width (RW), bone quality (BQ)—and reproductive performance in 1631 Jersey cattle from China. Heritability estimates for conformation traits ranged from 0.05 to 0.62. We identified significant phenotypic and genetic correlations between conformation and reproductive traits, and regression analyses confirmed the predictive value of conformation traits for reproductive outcomes. Genome-wide association studies detected 24 significant SNPs associated with ST, RW, RA, and BQ. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis revealed seven candidate genes (AZIN1, OR2H1, HS6ST3, ERCC4, KCNH5, KRT19, KRT35) involved in embryonic development and estrous cycle regulation. Notably, incorporating six SNPs, which are linked to these candidate genes, into genomic prediction models significantly improved the accuracy for predicting Age at First Calving (AFC) and Gestation Length (GL). These results elucidate the shared genetic basis of conformation and reproduction, providing theoretical support for using conformation traits in marker-assisted selection to enhance reproductive efficiency in Jersey cattle.

Animal African Trypanosomosis, caused by protozoan blood parasites mainly transmitted by Glossina, is a threat to livestock health in Africa. Whilst African zebu and European taurine suffer from trypanosomosis, West African taurine, such as N'Dama, exhibit trypanotolerance and remain productive in enzootic areas. Trypanosomosis affects haematological and biochemical variables in cattle. However, joint characterization of the temporal dynamics of these variables during trypanosomosis in tolerant or susceptible cattle had yet to be carried out. The purpose of this study was to show potential differences in the dynamics of profiles of haematological and biochemical variables between trypanotolerant and susceptible cattle breeds during an infection by Trypanosoma congolense. Three cattle breeds comprising N'Dama, West African Fulani zebu, and crossbred cattle (West African zebu x European taurine) were infected with Trypanosoma congolense and were monitored for six months post-infection. As expected, N'Dama controlled anaemia and parasitaemia better than Fulani zebu and crossbred cattle. Lymphocytosis and monocytosis were observed in N'Dama, while lymphocyte and monocyte counts remained unchanged in Fulani zebu and crossbred cattle. Granulocyte counts decreased in Fulani zebu and crossbred cattle, but remained stable in N'Dama. Cholesterol and glucose concentrations decreased significantly after inoculation with trypanosomes, but relative variations were observed depending on the breed, with rapid recovery of cholesterol levels in N'Dama. The relative variation in haematological variables was positively correlated with those of cholesterol and glucose, and negatively correlated with parasitaemia. Parasitaemia was also negatively correlated with variations in cholesterol and glucose levels. This study highlighted some striking differences in the evolution of white blood cells and certain biochemical traits in trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle in comparison with susceptible breeds. These associations indicated likely physio-pathological links between trypanotolerance, characterized by the mitigation of symptoms, anaemia and parasitaemia, an efficient immune response, exemplified by white blood cell profiles, and limitation of some metabolic disorders.

The article is devoted to the determination of the age characteristics of the muscle tissue of bullocks and castrated bulls of the Shagatai type of Kazakh white-headed cattle and its hybrids with the inner-breed type Ural Hereford. This study is aimed at determining the microstructural features of the biceps femoris muscle in experimental animals. "Elite" meat obtained from specialized meat breeds of young cattle is characterized by high biological value, physico-chemical and technological properties. Kazakh white-headed gobies of the Shagatai type and 15-month-old animals of the Oral Hereford breed were used as the studied material. Muscle tissue samples from the thigh area were processed using standard histological methods, embedded in paraffin, sections 5-7 microns thick were cut and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Microscopic analysis made it possible to determine the diameter of the muscle fibers, the number of fibers in the bundle, the thickness of the perimisium and the size of fat cells. The results showed that breed characteristics significantly affect the structure of muscles.: In Kazakh white-headed bulls of the Shagatai type, the perimisium and the size of fat cells were more pronounced, which is an important indicator for assessing the development of muscle tissue and meat productivity. In addition, the thickness and distribution of connective tissue are an important factor determining muscle strength and structural stability. The results of the study can serve as a scientific basis for assessing the morphological characteristics of young cattle, improving breed selection and predicting meat quality.